ST. LOUIS RAMS

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Last Season: 7-8-1, 4-1-1- division Playoffs: Missed the postseason Stat Leaders: QB Sam Bradford (3,702 YDS, 21 TDS, 13 INTS); RB Steven Jackson (1,042 YDS, 4 TDS); WR Chris Givens (698 YDS, 3 TDS); LB James Laurinaitis (142 TACKLES, 0.5 SACKS) The Buzz: While it's easy to assume the Rams were fleeced when they traded the pick Washington used to draft Robert Griffin III, the compensation St. Louis got in return helped set the franchise up for the future. The Rams went from 2-14 in 2011 to 7-8-1 in 2012. St. Louis is heavily invested in starting quarterback Sam Bradford, who faces the challenge of helping the team thrive without last season's featured back Steven Jackson. St. Louis should once again field an imposing defense. The team led the NFL with 32 sacks in 2012 and is on track to cause big headaches for opposing quarterbacks again this season. Luck Factor: The Rams are lucky fellow division members were hit by big injuries. Seattle lost star receiver Percy Harvin for a major portion of the season due to hip surgery and San Francisco lost star receiver Michael Crabtree for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Last Season: 7-8-1, 4-1-1- division Playoffs: Missed the postseason Stat Leaders: QB Sam Bradford (3,702 YDS, 21 TDS, 13 INTS); RB Steven Jackson (1,042 YDS, 4 TDS); WR Chris Givens (698 YDS, 3 TDS); LB James Laurinaitis (142 TACKLES, 0.5 SACKS) The Buzz: While it's easy to assume the Rams were fleeced when they traded the pick Washington used to draft Robert Griffin III, the compensation St. Louis got in return helped set the franchise up for the future. The Rams went from 2-14 in 2011 to 7-8-1 in 2012. St. Louis is heavily invested in starting quarterback Sam Bradford, who faces the challenge of helping the team thrive without last season's featured back Steven Jackson. St. Louis should once again field an imposing defense. The team led the NFL with 32 sacks in 2012 and is on track to cause big headaches for opposing quarterbacks again this season. Luck Factor: The Rams are lucky fellow division members were hit by big injuries. Seattle lost star receiver Percy Harvin for a major portion of the season due to hip surgery and San Francisco lost star receiver Michael Crabtree for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Season: 7-8-1, 4-1-1- division Playoffs: Missed the postseason Stat Leaders: QB Sam Bradford (3,702 YDS, 21 TDS, 13 INTS); RB Steven Jackson (1,042 YDS, 4 TDS); WR Chris Givens (698 YDS, 3 TDS); LB James Laurinaitis (142 TACKLES, 0.5 SACKS) The Buzz: While it's easy to assume the Rams were fleeced when they traded the pick Washington used to draft Robert Griffin III, the compensation St. Louis got in return helped set the franchise up for the future. The Rams went from 2-14 in 2011 to 7-8-1 in 2012. St. Louis is heavily invested in starting quarterback Sam Bradford, who faces the challenge of helping the team thrive without last season's featured back Steven Jackson. St. Louis should once again field an imposing defense. The team led the NFL with 32 sacks in 2012 and is on track to cause big headaches for opposing quarterbacks again this season. Luck Factor: The Rams are lucky fellow division members were hit by big injuries. Seattle lost star receiver Percy Harvin for a major portion of the season due to hip surgery and San Francisco lost star receiver Michael Crabtree for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon.